Method of making prismatic windows.



No. 695,284. Patented Mar. II, I902.

G. K. CUMMINGS.

METHOD OF MAKING PRISMATIG WINDOWS.

(Application filed Nov. 30, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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G. K. CUMMINGS.

METHOD OF MAKING'PBISHATIC WINDOWSr (Applipgtion filed Nov. 80, 1901.)(No llodel.)

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No. 695,284. Patented Mar. ll, I902.

G. K. CUMMINGS. METHOD OF MAKING PRISMATIG WINDOWS.

(Application filed Nov. 30, 190 1.)

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WITNESSES:

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GEORGE K. CUMMINGS, OF CENTER RUTLAND, VERMONT.

METHOD OF MAKING PRI SMATIC WINDOWS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 695,284, dated March11, 1902 Original application filed August 15, 1893, Serial No. 688,579.

r No. 84,208.

To all whom zltmay concern: r

Be it known that I, GEORGE K. CUMMINGS, a citizen of the United States,residing in Center Rutland, in the county ofRutland and State ofVermont, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Methods of MakingPrismatic WVindows, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, whichform a part hereof.

My invention relates to a method of making prismatic windows from sheetsor panes of glass which are provided with a series of prismaticprojections on their surface, which sheets orpanes of prismatic glassare adapted to be assembled and glazed together to form ornamentalprismatic Windows The object of my invention is to providca simple andeconomical method of manufac-' turing such sheets or panes of prismaticglass so as to enable prismatic windows to be made therefrom in a greatvariety of designs and in designs of superior finish and artistic meritand Without making it necessary for the manufacturer to provide a greatvariety of molds or to carry on hand a large stock of prismlights ofdifferent forms and shapes.

Another object of the invention is to enable these prismatic windows tobe made easily, quickly, and economically.

My invention consists, first, in the method of making windows ofprismatic glass, which consists in rolling the molten glass into a sheethaving prismatic projections of the desired outline on its surface,annealing the sheet, cutting the sheet into panes of the desiredoutline, then assembling and glazing the panes, substantially as setforth.

In the best form of my invention patterns of the separate panes areapplied to the sheet of prismatic glass in such a way that the prismaticprojections of the panes will run in a predetermined directionrelatively to one another in the completed window, and the panes arecutout according to the said patterns.

My invention consists also in the method of making ornamental prismaticwindows by rolling the molten glass into a sheet having prismaticprojections of the desired outline onits surface, then annealing thissheet-glass, then cuttingit into panes of two or more differfirst set ofpanes.

Divided and this application filed November 30,1901. Serial (No model.)

ent shapes in such a manner that when these panes are combined or glazedso as to form the finished window the prismatic projections of the paneswhich have the same shape will be'parallel with one another, whereas theprismatic projections of the panes of one shape will run in a differentdirection from the prismatic projections of the panes of a differentshape, as a result of which there will be two or more sets of panes,each set having its prismatic projections running in a differentdirection from that of the prismatic projections of the other set orsets of panes and the panes of each set having their prismaticprojections running in the same direction-that is to say,

parallel with one another. For example, assuming that three forms ofpanes of prismatic glass are to be used in the completed window they areso cut that when'they are assembled in the window all the panes of thefirst shape will have parallel prismatic projections or prismaticprojections running in the same direction. All the panes of the secondshape will have parallel prismatic projections or prismatic projectionsrunning in thesame direction but the prismatic projections on the secondset of panes will run in a difi'erent direction from the prismaticprojections on the All the panes of the third set or shape will haveparallel prismatic projections or prismatic projections running in thesame direction; but the prismatic projections on these panes will run ina different direction from the prismatic projections on the first twosets of panes, and so on, according to the nu mber of different shapesof panes to be employed in making the complete window. When the bestform of my invention is put into practice, the glass is melted until itis of the proper consistency and is stirred just before it is rolled,soas'to make the mas homogeneous in temperature. p

My invention also consists of certain other steps and featureshereinafter described and claimed.

In Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying drawings I have shown anapparatus by means of which the first part of my method to wit, therolling of the glass-may be earried out. Fig.1 is a side elevation ofthe machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, and

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view thereof. Figs. tto 1O illustrate themethod of cutting the panes of prismatic glass from a large sheet ofrolled glass and shows how they are adapted to be assembled and glazedtogether in the finished window. Fig. 4 represents a finished windowconsisting of panes of prismatic glass made according to my improvedmethod. Figs. 5 and 6 show sheets of rolled prismatic glass from whichare cut the separate prismpanes, which are adapted when assembled andglazed to form the windowshown in Fig. 4. Fig. '7 is a partialcross-sectional view of the sheet of glass shown in Fig. 5, showing thecharacterof the prismatic projections on that sheet. Fig. 8 is a similarpartial crosssectional iew of the sheet of glass shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 9shows another design of prismatic window consisting of panes ofprismatic glass made according to my improved method; and Fig. 10 showsa sheet of rolled prismatic glass and illustrates the manner of cuttingtherefrom the separate panes which are required to form the windowrepresented in Fig. 9.

In carrying out my improved method the glass is first melted by anysuitable means until it is of the proper consistency. It is then stirredjust before it is rolled, so as to ment.

' ing the glass.

make the mass homogeneous in temperature. It is then rolled in anysuitable manner into a sheet having on its surface prismatic projectionsof the desired outline. and arrange- In the best form of my inventionthe sheet is so rolled that the projections are parallel with oneanother. Any suitable mechanism ormachine may be employed for roll- Oneform of apparatus suitable for this purpose is illustrated in Figs. 1 to3, inclusive.

1 is a suitable framework, which is prefer- I Y ably mounted upon'wheels2, so that the maroller during the rolling operation.

chine can be conveniently moved from place to place. This frameworkcarries the table 3-, upon which the molten glass is poured and whichserves to support the glass against the The table is provided with theracks 4 on the sides thereof.

5 5 are strips for regulating the thickness of the plate of prismaticglass which is produced by the machine. The surface of the table isplane.

6 is a roller provided with the continuous annular parallel ribs 7,which extend entirely around the roller. The plane of the ribs isparallel with the direction of motion of the roller and perpendicular tothe plane of the glass plate to be formed. These ribs 7 are made tocorrespond in form with the depressions which it is desired to produceupon the upper side of the plate of glass. The roller is provided with asmooth bearingsurface 8 at its ends, adapted to rest and ride upon thestrips '5. I

9 9 are gears which are attached to the ends of doing this is by pouringsome of the molten glass preliminarily upon the roller'and table untilthey are properly heated. The roller is moved to one end of the tableandthe molten glass is poured on the table in front of the roller, asufficient quantity being supplied to the table to make a full sheet ofprismatic glass. In order to make the mass of glass as nearlyhomogeneous as possible in temperature, it is then thoroughlystirredjust before it is rolled. This can be done by any suitable means. Theroller 6 is then rolled along the table, so asto roll the glass out intothe form of a sheet having prismatic projections of the desired outline'on its surface. These prismatic projections. will be parallel with oneanother. The sheet of glass is then removed from the table and annealed.Any suitable form of leer or annealing-oven can be used for thispurpose. It is important that the glass should be slowly and thoroughlyannealed, because the sheet'is irregular in cross-section and istherefore likely to break unless annealed with the greatest care. Whenthe sheet of glass has been thus properly annealed and cooled, it is cutup into panes of the desired or necessary outline to form the completedwindow. This can be done by any suitable means. In the best form of myinvention I proceed as follows: The finished window is to be made up ofa certain number,

of panes of prismatic glass. These panes are made in two or more sets.The panes of eachset are made of the same shape or outline;

but the panes of one sethave a different shape or outline from the panesof the other set or sets. This preferred form of my improvedmethod isadapted for use when the completed window is to contain at least twodifferent shapes of panes, and in most cases the window will be made upof a large number of variously-shaped panes. In cutting these panes outfrom the rolled sheet of prismatic glass any suitable means or methodmay be employed. I prefer to make a pat tern of paper or any suitablematerial for each shape of pane that is to be used in the finishedwindow, to apply these patterns to the surface or back of the sheet ofprismatic glass, and to cut out the separate panes inaccordancetherewith. The separate panes are thus adapted to be combined orassembled in accordance with the design for the completed.

window, and when so combined or assembled they can be fastened and heldin place by any suitable form of glazing or framework. Ordinarily metalbars are employed for the glazing of the panes, these bars being soshaped as to fit the panes and having grooves into which the edges ofthe panes project. This method of glazing is well known.

It is an essential feature of the best or preferred form of my improvedmethod that at least two sets of differently-shaped panes should be cutfrom the sheet or sheets of pris} matic glass and that they should becut in such a way that when they are assembled and 7 combined in thecompleted window the prismatic projections of all thepanes having thesame shape will be parallel with one another; but the prismaticprojections of one set of panes will run in a different direction fromthe prismatic projections on the other set or sets of panes. As a resultof this, there will be two or more different shapes of panes in thecompleted window, and all the panes of the same shape will tend to throwrays of light passing through them in the same or in a paralleldirection, which will result in making all the panes of the same shapeappear bright and luminous when looked at from that direction. As thepanes of one shape send the light in one direction and the panes ofanother shape send the light in another direction, these two sets ofpanes will present a different effect or appearance from whatever pointthey may be viewed. Thus the panes of one shape will all be luminous,while the panes of another shape are dark or are less brilliantlylighted up. In this way beautiful efiects canbe produced and the generaldesign of the window can be made to stand out more vividly andeffectively.

In Figs. 4 C to 8, inclusive, I have indicated one way of carrying outmyimproved method. Fig. 4 represents the finished window which it isproposed to make. It will be observed that this window is made up oftwodifferent shapes of panes The design for the window having been firstprepared, as shown in this figure, the pattern is made for each of itscomponent panes, or one for each different shape or size of pane. Thesepatterns are then applied to the sheet of rolled prismatic glass, asillustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, and the separate panes are cut out inaccordance therewith and so as to leave as small an amount of wasteglass as possible. The square panes are provided with small prismaticprojections and are cut out from a sheet of glass having projections ofthis character, such as shown in Figs. 6 and 8. The hexagonal panes areprovided with larger prismatic projections and are cut out from a sheetof glass such as is represented in Figs. 5 and 7. These panes are thenadapted to be assembled and glazed together, as shown in Fig. 4. It willbe seen that the patterns in Figs. 5 and G are so applied to the glassthat when the panes are cut out and properly combined and as-,

sembled the prismatic projections on panes of the same shape willall beparallel, whereas the prismatic projections on the square i panes willrun in a different direction from the prismatic projections 011 thehexagonal panes.

In Figs. 9 and 10 I have illustrated another way of carrying out myimproved method. Fig. 9 represents the design of window that is to beproduced. Fig. 10 represents a sheet of rolled prismatic glass fromwhich all these panes are cut. The windowis to be composed of fourdifferent shapes of panes, (marked 11, 12, 13, and let, respectively.)These panes are so cut out that when they are assembled in the propermanner in the finished window the panes 11 will have their prismaticprojections running in the same direction, and the panes 12, 13, and 14will have their prismatic projections running in the same direction withone another, but in a different direction from that of-the prismaticprojections of the panes 11.

Some of the advantages resulting from my improved method are as follows:A great variety of designs can be embodied and produced withoutrequiring the manufacturer or maker to constantly carry on hand a largestock of prismatic lights of different shapes and sizes. Moreover, thesedifferent designs can be made easily and economically. Very beautifuleffects can be produced by intro.- ducing into the finished Windowsdifferent shapes of panes and giving to each shape a differentappearance or effect, resulting from the fact thatits prismaticprojections are made to run in a special direction different from thatof the prismatic projections on some of the other panes. It is thuspossible to bring out the design of a prismatic window with strik- -ingeffect and to produce a much more vivid impressionby the contrast inlight effects caused by having the prisms of, differentlyshaped panesrun indifferent directions.

This application is filed as a division of my previous application,Serial No. 688,57 9, filed by me on August 15, 1898.

I do not herein claim the machine for rolling sheets of prismatic glass,as this machine is claimed in. a separate application, Serial No.681,011, filed by me May 18, 1898..

I do not herein claim the improved prod-.

uct-that is to say, the prismatic window-- as I have claimed the saidproduct in, theap-,

plication of which this present application is a division-to wit, SerialNo. 688,579, filedby me August 15,1898.

"What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv j 1.The method of making windowsof prismatic glass whichconsists in rollingthe 11101- ten glass into a sheet having prismatic projections of thedesired outline on its surface, annealing the sheet, cutting the sheetinto panes of the desired outline, then assembling and glazing thepanes, substantially as set forth.

2. The method of making windows of prismatic glass which consists inrolling the mol- IIO ten glass into a sheet having prismatic projectionsof the desired outline on its surface, annealing the sheet, applyingpatterns of the separate panes to the sheet in such a way that theprismatic projections of the panes will run in a predetermined directionrelatively to one another in the completed window, cutting the panes outaccording to the said patterns, and assembling and glazing the panes,substantially as set forth.

3. The method of making prismatic windows which consists in rolling themolten glass into a sheet having prismatic projections of the desiredoutline on its surface, annealing the sheet, cutting the sheet intopanes of two or more differentsh'apes, combining the panes to form thewindow, the prismatic projections of the panes having the same shapebeing parallel and there being at least two sets of panes having theprismatic projections of one set running in a different direction fromthe prismatic projections of the other set, substantially as set forth.

4. The method of making prismatic Windows which consists in melting theglass until it is of the proper consistency, stirring it just before itis rolled so as to make the mass homogeneous in temperature, rolling themolten glass into a sheet having prismatic projections of the desiredoutline on its surface, annealing the sheet, and cutting the sheet intopanes of two or more different shapes, combining these panes to form thewindow, the prismatic projections of the panes having the same shapebeing parallel and there being at least two sets of panes having theprismatic projections of one set running in a different 5. The method ofmaking prismatic win- 40 dows which consists in rolling the molten glassinto a sheet having parallel prismatic projections of the desiredoutline on its surface, annealing the sheet, cutting the sheet intopanes of different shapes, and combining the panes to form a window, theprismatic projections of panes having the same shape being parallel, andthe prismatic projections of panes having different shapes being made torun in different directions, substantially as set forth.

6. The method of making prismatic windows which consists in melting theglass until it is of the proper consistency, stirring it just before itis rolled so as to make the mass homogeneous in temperature, rolling themolten glass into a sheet having parallel prismatic projections of thedesired outline on its surface, annealing the sheet, cutting the sheetinto panes of different shapes and combining these panes to form thewindow, the

prismatic projections of panes having the same shape being parallel, andthe prismatic projections of panes having different shapes being made torun in different directions, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE K. CUMMINGS.

WVitnesses:

G. A. BROWN, EDWIN SEGER.

